Good morning, God,
Ah, what a joy it is to have headlines about the impetuousness of youth turning out for the good rather than ending up in a bad situation! Those three football guys from Forest Park took off running and treated that truck as a blocking sled, pushing it right off the line - that is, they pushed that truck right back on its wheels, leading to the freeing of the trapped mother with child from the truck. Then, some more experience kicked in as one of the guys knew he had to put out the engine fire - and did.
Lord, from young football players to store employees to passers-by, you have given many gifts and skills to be sued for day-to-day routine living and for once-in-a-lifetime emergency situations. Thank you for people who will act quickly and positively when a need arises. Keep all such "Good Samaritans"safe during their actions, but may we always be safe enough in what we are dong that we don't ever need emergency responders.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110830
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, August 26th
Good morning, God,
We feel for any woman named "Irene" today, as a huge hurricane carries that same name and is making the headlines. We pray this morning for those in the Bahamas who have already been hit and those on the east coast of our land who are being hit now, only to get more of the worst later. We pray for the safety of all who are in the path of Irene, for the strength of the buildings that are in her way, and for the clean-up efforts that will need to be done.
Lord, we are grateful here that all we might face is some wind and rain, but we can handle this little bit.
However, Lord, there are the human hurricanes that we face every day which may be more damaging than the weather ones. We may feel that our lives are spinning around and around - and picking up speed. We may think we have just felt the violent wind of a friend attacking our moorings. We may believe we have "battened down our hatches," only to be blown off course again.
Heavenly Father, please control your weather hurricanes and our interpersonal hurricanes that all my be peaceful.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
We feel for any woman named "Irene" today, as a huge hurricane carries that same name and is making the headlines. We pray this morning for those in the Bahamas who have already been hit and those on the east coast of our land who are being hit now, only to get more of the worst later. We pray for the safety of all who are in the path of Irene, for the strength of the buildings that are in her way, and for the clean-up efforts that will need to be done.
Lord, we are grateful here that all we might face is some wind and rain, but we can handle this little bit.
However, Lord, there are the human hurricanes that we face every day which may be more damaging than the weather ones. We may feel that our lives are spinning around and around - and picking up speed. We may think we have just felt the violent wind of a friend attacking our moorings. We may believe we have "battened down our hatches," only to be blown off course again.
Heavenly Father, please control your weather hurricanes and our interpersonal hurricanes that all my be peaceful.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110829
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, August 29th
Good Morning, God
Some of the headlines last week, as during every week, involved men and women attacking each other, going after each other physically to do bodily harm. One man went after another with a meat cleaver. Someone else went at it with a knife. Others pointed guns at each other. Yet, others went after each other with verbal attacks and abuse.
Ya know, Lord, it would behoove all of us to really try to remember your Golden Rule: "To do unto others what we would have done to us." If we thought this, then would we want to be chopped with a cleaver? Would we want a knife at our neck or a gun pointed at us? Would we want the words with which we attack others to be said to us? Would we enjoy living belittled by the words we use when we are speaking of and to others?
Lord, this day, at the beginning of this week, may we make where we live and work a much better and more peaceful place because we are putting into practice only those things that we would like to be done to us.
In Jesus name, Amen
Some of the headlines last week, as during every week, involved men and women attacking each other, going after each other physically to do bodily harm. One man went after another with a meat cleaver. Someone else went at it with a knife. Others pointed guns at each other. Yet, others went after each other with verbal attacks and abuse.
Ya know, Lord, it would behoove all of us to really try to remember your Golden Rule: "To do unto others what we would have done to us." If we thought this, then would we want to be chopped with a cleaver? Would we want a knife at our neck or a gun pointed at us? Would we want the words with which we attack others to be said to us? Would we enjoy living belittled by the words we use when we are speaking of and to others?
Lord, this day, at the beginning of this week, may we make where we live and work a much better and more peaceful place because we are putting into practice only those things that we would like to be done to us.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110824
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, August 24th
Good Morning, God,
The headlines are about a person charged and convicted of felonies. he had decided to exercise his rights to a jury trial. The jury (of his peers) decided he was guilty. He had had to opportunity to plead to lesser charges, but he had hoped that the jury would find him not guilty on all counts. Now, his idea of running for and being elected to a political office has been quashed; one cannot run nor be elected when one has been convicted of a felony. Appeals are next, but the damage to his aspirations and future has been done.
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us a way out when we are convicted of our sins. Thank you that Satan doesn't try us, that the angels aren't a jury, and that you are the final judge. One has said that it is a terrible thing to be in the hands of an angry God, but you are only angry at the sin, not the sinner. You give us every opportunity to have each and every sin expunged - through our confession and yours and our Mediator, Jesus Christ. May we always accept Jesus' advice and let him try our cases before you, that we will always be found "guilty but forgiven."
In Jesus' name, Amen.
The headlines are about a person charged and convicted of felonies. he had decided to exercise his rights to a jury trial. The jury (of his peers) decided he was guilty. He had had to opportunity to plead to lesser charges, but he had hoped that the jury would find him not guilty on all counts. Now, his idea of running for and being elected to a political office has been quashed; one cannot run nor be elected when one has been convicted of a felony. Appeals are next, but the damage to his aspirations and future has been done.
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us a way out when we are convicted of our sins. Thank you that Satan doesn't try us, that the angels aren't a jury, and that you are the final judge. One has said that it is a terrible thing to be in the hands of an angry God, but you are only angry at the sin, not the sinner. You give us every opportunity to have each and every sin expunged - through our confession and yours and our Mediator, Jesus Christ. May we always accept Jesus' advice and let him try our cases before you, that we will always be found "guilty but forgiven."
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110822
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, August 22nd
Good Morning, God,
While we would love to only be concerned about our local headlines, the international headlines also affect us - or should.
Lord, there are starving children on the Horn of Africa. The Syrian cities are not safe places to be outside these days. Libyan rebels continue to make inroads and the government forces keep defending and pushing back. A headline read, "European Economy Hits a Wall," and the currency - the euro - seems to not be working as a standard currency. Another headline spoke of how the economies of China, that holds a goodly part of the debt of the United States, and the United States, which is China's biggest market, are mutually dependent on each other. The commentary thought this dependence was more like a stalemate, more like an economic "cold war."
Lord, are we concerned too much over things that are too big for us? Give us and those who are educated in such matters the wisdom to work through these things for the good of life and health and daily food, and we will give you the praise and the glory.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
While we would love to only be concerned about our local headlines, the international headlines also affect us - or should.
Lord, there are starving children on the Horn of Africa. The Syrian cities are not safe places to be outside these days. Libyan rebels continue to make inroads and the government forces keep defending and pushing back. A headline read, "European Economy Hits a Wall," and the currency - the euro - seems to not be working as a standard currency. Another headline spoke of how the economies of China, that holds a goodly part of the debt of the United States, and the United States, which is China's biggest market, are mutually dependent on each other. The commentary thought this dependence was more like a stalemate, more like an economic "cold war."
Lord, are we concerned too much over things that are too big for us? Give us and those who are educated in such matters the wisdom to work through these things for the good of life and health and daily food, and we will give you the praise and the glory.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110819
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, August 19th
Good Morning, God
Lord, there were headlines about a collaboration between jazz musicians and Blue-Grass musicians, between New Orleans and Nashville. The points were made that (1) both genres are music; (2) both genres have rhythm, tones, history and futures; (3) both genres have people who enjoy both. So, why not form a combination of the two kinds of music? They did and the results were great.
Lord, there are many areas of life where different genres meet and wonderful synergisms occur. From the mundane "wafer cookies and cold milk" to men and women living and working together, to teams made up of individuals with different gifts and skills to build better mouse traps, to people of different races, creeds and ethnicities collaborating for the common good, it is awesome to realize what can be done.
Lord, may we begin this day and the rest of this week with the attitude toward you of "Not my will but yours be done", then continue working with those around us with the attitude of "What can we accomplish better together.
In Jesus name, Amen
Lord, there were headlines about a collaboration between jazz musicians and Blue-Grass musicians, between New Orleans and Nashville. The points were made that (1) both genres are music; (2) both genres have rhythm, tones, history and futures; (3) both genres have people who enjoy both. So, why not form a combination of the two kinds of music? They did and the results were great.
Lord, there are many areas of life where different genres meet and wonderful synergisms occur. From the mundane "wafer cookies and cold milk" to men and women living and working together, to teams made up of individuals with different gifts and skills to build better mouse traps, to people of different races, creeds and ethnicities collaborating for the common good, it is awesome to realize what can be done.
Lord, may we begin this day and the rest of this week with the attitude toward you of "Not my will but yours be done", then continue working with those around us with the attitude of "What can we accomplish better together.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110817
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, August 17th
Good morning, God,
Lord, why does our pleasure sometimes get interrupted by pain? Isn't life heard enough as it is? The headlines have been about the collapse of the stage at the Indiana State Fair in Indy over the weekend. It seems that a sudden, powerful gust of wind toppled all of the stage rigging, scaffolding, and sound equipment right down on top of folks who were set to enjoy a great concert on a great night.
But their pleasure was interrupted by pain. Five will never experience pain or pleasure again; many will bear the scars of the pain for quite awhile. All of us will remember 2011 as "the year the stage blew down at the Fair."
Lord, when the winds of life topple our pleasures, we pray you will always be in the recovery. When the dark clouds of storms approach us, may we have enough time and smarts to take shelter in you. When we are spared from death, may we give you our heartfelt thanks. When we are injured, may we know your healing. And, when we are touched by pain only in our spirit, may we rely on your touch of peace through your Holy Spirit on us.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, why does our pleasure sometimes get interrupted by pain? Isn't life heard enough as it is? The headlines have been about the collapse of the stage at the Indiana State Fair in Indy over the weekend. It seems that a sudden, powerful gust of wind toppled all of the stage rigging, scaffolding, and sound equipment right down on top of folks who were set to enjoy a great concert on a great night.
But their pleasure was interrupted by pain. Five will never experience pain or pleasure again; many will bear the scars of the pain for quite awhile. All of us will remember 2011 as "the year the stage blew down at the Fair."
Lord, when the winds of life topple our pleasures, we pray you will always be in the recovery. When the dark clouds of storms approach us, may we have enough time and smarts to take shelter in you. When we are spared from death, may we give you our heartfelt thanks. When we are injured, may we know your healing. And, when we are touched by pain only in our spirit, may we rely on your touch of peace through your Holy Spirit on us.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110815
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, August 15th
Good Morning, God,
The headlines reveal the loss of another influential gentleman from among us in Jasper and the surrounding area, Earl Metzger. He wasn't a young man that we mourn his untimely death, but we mourn his loss, just the same, for Earl and his life's work has touched our lives, influenced the way we think, and let us know what is going on in Dubois County and the world.
Lord, you gave Earl the grace to endear himself to those who worked for him, only it seemed that they worked with him. You caused people to look to him as a mentor, even as a father-figure. You caused Earl to be a faithful witness to you through his church, his life and the airwaves. Lord, you caused Earl to put these prayers and other devotional pieces on the air, worrying only that they would give you the glory.
Lord, Earl will be missed by his loyal staff, by his listeners and by those with whom he came in contact professionally. Most of all, Earl will be missed by his family: his wife Sylvia, his sons Nick and Luke, his brother Robert and his grandchildren Cameron, Lillyanna, Ryan, Cloey and others, including especially his WITZ family.
Bless all those who grieve this day, Lord, and thank you for the life of Earl Metzger.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
The headlines reveal the loss of another influential gentleman from among us in Jasper and the surrounding area, Earl Metzger. He wasn't a young man that we mourn his untimely death, but we mourn his loss, just the same, for Earl and his life's work has touched our lives, influenced the way we think, and let us know what is going on in Dubois County and the world.
Lord, you gave Earl the grace to endear himself to those who worked for him, only it seemed that they worked with him. You caused people to look to him as a mentor, even as a father-figure. You caused Earl to be a faithful witness to you through his church, his life and the airwaves. Lord, you caused Earl to put these prayers and other devotional pieces on the air, worrying only that they would give you the glory.
Lord, Earl will be missed by his loyal staff, by his listeners and by those with whom he came in contact professionally. Most of all, Earl will be missed by his family: his wife Sylvia, his sons Nick and Luke, his brother Robert and his grandchildren Cameron, Lillyanna, Ryan, Cloey and others, including especially his WITZ family.
Bless all those who grieve this day, Lord, and thank you for the life of Earl Metzger.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110812
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, August 12th
Good Morning, God
Lord, to pray about dreams may, to some, be a waste of our communications live with you, but even in your word you have spoken and caused your will to happen through dreams.
This week, what may seem to many a silly, perhaps stupid, dream that 61-year old Diana Nyad had to swim from Cuba to Florida - 103 miles - ended after only swimming about half way. Choppy water and lousy weather buffeted her so much that she was thrown off course and got too tired fighting.
For how many of us, Lord, have our dreams been buffeted by the storms of life, so much so that we have been thrown off course and had to quit? Fortunately, we have had friends - as Diana did, who plucked us out of the storm to safety. Our dreams probably are still in our minds, but for now we are contend to be safe.
Lord, may we always have dreams and the desires and actions to bring them to fruition.
In Jesus name, Amen
Lord, to pray about dreams may, to some, be a waste of our communications live with you, but even in your word you have spoken and caused your will to happen through dreams.
This week, what may seem to many a silly, perhaps stupid, dream that 61-year old Diana Nyad had to swim from Cuba to Florida - 103 miles - ended after only swimming about half way. Choppy water and lousy weather buffeted her so much that she was thrown off course and got too tired fighting.
For how many of us, Lord, have our dreams been buffeted by the storms of life, so much so that we have been thrown off course and had to quit? Fortunately, we have had friends - as Diana did, who plucked us out of the storm to safety. Our dreams probably are still in our minds, but for now we are contend to be safe.
Lord, may we always have dreams and the desires and actions to bring them to fruition.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110810
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, August 10th
Good Morning, God,
Well, Lord, somebody finally called our bluff! When the dust settled in Washington last week, the dust rag was wielded by a Wall Street institution. They said, "Ya'll have been fighting among yourselves too long and the TKO, the technical knockout, was no knockout at all. Actually, ya'll just went back to your corners to come to fight again."
Lord, while it is desired by Washington that we believe that "all is well and all is right," the rest of the world knows better. We don't even have to have financial heads; our guts tell us that we have money troubles. Standard and Poors just named it by putting it on paper and taking action.
We pray for our national financial picture, Lord. What happens in Washington does affect our personal finance. Give our leaders the guts to make the tough decisions about spending and taxation. We all must pull together on this, Lord. Give us the direction to tug!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Well, Lord, somebody finally called our bluff! When the dust settled in Washington last week, the dust rag was wielded by a Wall Street institution. They said, "Ya'll have been fighting among yourselves too long and the TKO, the technical knockout, was no knockout at all. Actually, ya'll just went back to your corners to come to fight again."
Lord, while it is desired by Washington that we believe that "all is well and all is right," the rest of the world knows better. We don't even have to have financial heads; our guts tell us that we have money troubles. Standard and Poors just named it by putting it on paper and taking action.
We pray for our national financial picture, Lord. What happens in Washington does affect our personal finance. Give our leaders the guts to make the tough decisions about spending and taxation. We all must pull together on this, Lord. Give us the direction to tug!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110808
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, August 8th
Good Morning, God
Lord, the whole group of young men and women showed up, not in the headlines (Thank You, Lord!), but in the living room the other evening, befriended by the young adult who lives there. These young adults are folks that we would look at and jump to conclusions that they were up to no good, don't contribute to society and one better watch out or they will come back and steal you blind, or worse. Then, they really would be in the headlines, Lord.
Gracious God, we pray today for the gift of understanding the mix of adults today - those who can't or don't have the wherewithal to go to school beyond high school. Those who don't have a backyard pool in which to swim but choose a farm pond instead and those who come into a house hungry at 10p.m. because they hadn't had another place to eat at the usual supper time.
Lord, guide us to do what we can to keep these young adults out of the headlines.
In Jesus name, Amen
Lord, the whole group of young men and women showed up, not in the headlines (Thank You, Lord!), but in the living room the other evening, befriended by the young adult who lives there. These young adults are folks that we would look at and jump to conclusions that they were up to no good, don't contribute to society and one better watch out or they will come back and steal you blind, or worse. Then, they really would be in the headlines, Lord.
Gracious God, we pray today for the gift of understanding the mix of adults today - those who can't or don't have the wherewithal to go to school beyond high school. Those who don't have a backyard pool in which to swim but choose a farm pond instead and those who come into a house hungry at 10p.m. because they hadn't had another place to eat at the usual supper time.
Lord, guide us to do what we can to keep these young adults out of the headlines.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110805
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, August 5th
Good Morning, God
Lord, we give you thanks for the opportunities we have to have fun. Especially, we celebrate all of the local street festivals in our towns around. From 4-H County Fairs to Jasper's Strassenfest, we enjoy a good party, clean fun, the reunion of friends and the enjoyment of performers. It is fun to remember our heritage and to give thanks for where we live and work and have family and friends.
Lord, today and this weekend, we pray for Jasper's good times. We pray for safety in the heat and humidity. May we remember that you created the perfect coolant for our bodies - Adam's Ale, H2O, pure, clear and clean water. May we remember this as we drink whatever, knowing that your best is the best for our health.
And, Lord, may we also have safety in the shows, ride attractions, the beer gardens and in the milling about.
In Jesus name, Amen
Lord, we give you thanks for the opportunities we have to have fun. Especially, we celebrate all of the local street festivals in our towns around. From 4-H County Fairs to Jasper's Strassenfest, we enjoy a good party, clean fun, the reunion of friends and the enjoyment of performers. It is fun to remember our heritage and to give thanks for where we live and work and have family and friends.
Lord, today and this weekend, we pray for Jasper's good times. We pray for safety in the heat and humidity. May we remember that you created the perfect coolant for our bodies - Adam's Ale, H2O, pure, clear and clean water. May we remember this as we drink whatever, knowing that your best is the best for our health.
And, Lord, may we also have safety in the shows, ride attractions, the beer gardens and in the milling about.
In Jesus name, Amen
20110803
A Prayer for teh Headlines for Wednesday, August 3rd
Good Morning, God,
Thank you, God, for minds that think, hearts that feel and men and women who have finally worked things out. Lord, the rhetoric has been rancorous, the debates almost debilitating, the arguments arduous, but we now have the agreements that will keep our country financially viable for awhile longer.
However, Lord, there is a huge amount of work ahead for a group of 12, a Senate and a House of Representatives, and a President. Lord, we the people expect solutions not sidesteps out of Washington and pray that it will be forth-coming in the days ahead.
We also are beginning to seek your wisdom for whom we will vote into office a year from now. Guide us, O Thou Great Jehovah. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of each hour!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thank you, God, for minds that think, hearts that feel and men and women who have finally worked things out. Lord, the rhetoric has been rancorous, the debates almost debilitating, the arguments arduous, but we now have the agreements that will keep our country financially viable for awhile longer.
However, Lord, there is a huge amount of work ahead for a group of 12, a Senate and a House of Representatives, and a President. Lord, we the people expect solutions not sidesteps out of Washington and pray that it will be forth-coming in the days ahead.
We also are beginning to seek your wisdom for whom we will vote into office a year from now. Guide us, O Thou Great Jehovah. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of each hour!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110801
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, August 1st
Good Morning, God
The headlines ask the question: "Who are our heroes?" The stories behind this particular headline is about folks who are missionaries for Jesus among their own people, risking their lives daily, hourly, to spread the good news of Jesus Christ where they live and work.
You know these people, Lord; in fact, you admire these people and hold them out to the rest of us who would be your followers. Furthermore, Lord, you encourage all of us, whether or not we believe in your Son, Jesus, to be a "hero" to someone else. Perhaps a dad can be a hero to a son or daughter by being a constant positive, loving, encouraging presence in that son's or daughter's life. Perhaps a mom can be a hero to a son or daughter by teaching him or her to be persistent yet patient, to dream big dreams and pursue them and to become all that he or she can become with what they have.
Lord, thank you for our heroes who maybe aren't martyred in death but who give of themselves totally selflessly.
In Jesus name, Amen
The headlines ask the question: "Who are our heroes?" The stories behind this particular headline is about folks who are missionaries for Jesus among their own people, risking their lives daily, hourly, to spread the good news of Jesus Christ where they live and work.
You know these people, Lord; in fact, you admire these people and hold them out to the rest of us who would be your followers. Furthermore, Lord, you encourage all of us, whether or not we believe in your Son, Jesus, to be a "hero" to someone else. Perhaps a dad can be a hero to a son or daughter by being a constant positive, loving, encouraging presence in that son's or daughter's life. Perhaps a mom can be a hero to a son or daughter by teaching him or her to be persistent yet patient, to dream big dreams and pursue them and to become all that he or she can become with what they have.
Lord, thank you for our heroes who maybe aren't martyred in death but who give of themselves totally selflessly.
In Jesus name, Amen
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